Hirst's work seems to me all about seeing beauty in the most unlikely places. For example, 'The Physical Impossibilty Of Death In The Mind Of Someone Living' (see below). Some may argue that it's simply a dead shark preserved in formaldehyde, but for me it's much more. It's celebrating the life of the shark. It doesn't appear dead in my mind, it just feels like it's encapsulated in a single moment of time. Which of course is in-keeping with the title. Hirst seems to make death almost beautiful, which is why I believe this IS art. He's taken something and made us explore it's meaning, which is what art is all about.
Furthermore, on the subject of death and beauty combined is the piece which I titled the blog after. 'For The Love Of God' is a platinum cast of a human skull encrusted with 8601 flawless diamonds, including a pear-shaped pink diamond located in the forehead.
It cost £14 million to make, and was put on display for an asking price of £50 million which would have been the highest price ever paid for a single work by a living artist. Call me morbid, but I love the exploration of death. This is a recurring theme in my own artwork. See my crow with gas mask below.
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Hirst's polka dots.
'In And Out Of Love' is a piece using two rooms. One with dead butterflies against bright coloured panels, and the other where you see butterflies being born (and getting pissed on fruit)
Hirst has so many pieces I could simply talk non stop about, but to really see for yourself, get down to the exhibition! I'm going to go as soon as I'm back from my trip up to bonnie Scotland!
The Damien Hirst Exhibition runs from the 4th of April to the 9th of September at Tate Modern. It costs £14, and to book your ticket, click here.
To watch the programme about the exhibition presented by Noel Fielding on 4od, click here
Until next time, Kez xxx
